So what do you do when your teenage child approaches you about going to an indoor tanning salon? Do you let them make their own decision? Do you forbid it? It’s a pretty tough question. Sometimes forbidding things, makes them want to do it even more. Most places will require anyone under 18 to have parental consent, but that consent will not stop someone who really wants to do it. Its a difficult question with no easy answer that’s going to work for everyone.
ABC News recently had an article entitled “Teen Tanning: Indoor Sizzle Can Overcome Parental Consent Laws” that investigated the issue about how much effect laws involving parental consent needing to be obtained were having. Their conclusion was pretty much how I feel, that the parental consent laws were not really having the desired effect. Partly due to lax enforcement, partly due to parents giving their consent too easily. Either way not much was changing.
study published in the Archives of Dermatology this week, showing that, despite laws, researchers posing as 15-year-olds who had never tanned could, over the phone, get permission to tan at a few salons across the country without parental consent. The study estimated that 90 percent of salons in the U.S. require parental consent.Researchers also found that at most salons they called, they could begin tanning more often than the government recommendation of three times a week. In 71 percent of the facilities, they could tan every day right away, despite the risks of melanoma and other skin cancers.
One part they left out there is that in regards to the ones that didn’t ask for consent, the study only called up the tanning salons on the phone posing as a 15 year old. Who knows if when they got there they would then be informed that they need consent. Its like any business, you want to get them in the door first.
Medical professionals then fired off some shots..
“The laws as they are currently written are not strong enough to keep teens from tanning,” said Joni Mayer, a professor of health promotion and behavioral sciences at San Diego State University and an author of the study. “Part of the reason is parents are giving their consent [to tan].”
“As a medical professional subject to intense regulation, it is amazing that the tanning industry is allowed to deliver intensive ultraviolet light to minors with a minimal amount of oversight and enforcement,” said Dr. Seth J. Orlow, chairman of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine.
The Indoor Tanning Association then had to fire back, as is their job and they have done in the past….
“What is not being highlighted by the authors of this study is that the vast majority of tanning salons require parental consent before allowing minors to tan, regardless of whether or not state law requires them to do so. The tanning industry works with parents to ensure that minors are using sunbeds moderately and responsibly,” said Dan Humiston, president of the Indoor Tanning Association, in a statement.
So we’re back at square one, what do you do when your teen asks you for the consent? I think the best plan is to sit down with them and present to them the damaging effects that indoor tanning can have. Treating your teenager like their opinions and wishes are important is a very valuable tool in parenting. Let them explain to you why they should do it, and then explain to them why they should not. Presented with all the information against indoor tanning, you would think that they would make the right decision. Also present them with some alternatives that might be better for both sides. Possibly a suggestion of spray tanning might be enough to appease your teenager.
Sometimes though, they are not going too, after all they are teenagers. That’s why its important as a parent to be able to say no when your trying to protect their best interests. I know it can be hard, especially when they are doing everything else right. Its something that has to be done though. Why let someone you care about purposefully do something that is harmful when you have the control.
The woman in the story is a perfect example. Here’s a girl who started tanning at age 14 when her parents signed the consent form. Now 10 years later she has melanoma and wishes her parents hadn’t given the consent. Of course, hers is just one example, but there are many. As are there many who have come out fine as I’m sure a teenager will point out. Is the risk really worth the reward though, I have to say no.
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